Outlook: In the previous four years, the Cougars have leaned on a
big-name player who has gone onto to play college ball. This
year's group is more of a team. "These guys play really well
together," Fryer said. "There's no superstars this year." This
year's group is a little faster than previous CK teams and they
might just play a little better defense, Fryer said. Dorsey and Ureta
will provide the long-range shooting, and Zylstra will attack the
basket. Fryer said to keep an eye on Durham, who's going to be a
standout. Soon.

Outlook: The Tides figure to be a heavy favorite in the Narrows this
year. Last year, a talented team of mostly sophomores finished seventh
in state. That group returns, led by Trent, a top college prospect.
"They're determined to try and play on that final day (of state),"
McIntosh said. The Tides are also one of the taller teams around, able
to roll out a lineup with four players 6-foot-5 or bigger. "It's
fun to think we have the juniors back for another year," McIntosh
said.

Outlook: The Vikings hope to play an exciting, fast style of
basketball. Chisholm said that the offense will be built around
Schippers. Kirk and Rios were key cogs on last year's team. The
Vikings also have some talented young players in Erickson and
Coover.

Outlook: The Wolves have been to state six straight years and
they've brought back trophies the last five. This year, though,
the Wolves will be young. Two-time all-league point guard Burk, Neloms
and Pisa are the only returners with significant experience. Callaghan
said he has a talented sophomore class. "You never know how the young
guys are going to take it," he said. "It's a different level, a
different intensity." SK has a grueling non-league schedule this year,
and Callaghan figures his team will be dramatically improved after the
holidays. "On the perimeter, we'll be OK," Callaghan said. "If we
can board and defend the low post, we'll be all right."

Outlook: It should be a big season on the island. The Spartans,
ranked No. 1 in the state in one preseason poll, have 75 percent of
their offense returning from a team that came up one win short of the
state tournament. The team won 90 percent of its summer league games,
and expects to not only make it to state this year, but do well once it
gets there. The Spartans are led by Gonzaga-bound Gray and Gibler, a
pair of All-Metro League members last year. Bainbridge has NBA height
and can roll out a lineup where a pair of 6-4 guards and 6-7, 6-9, 6-10
in the frontcourt. Open: Host Ingraham on Friday.

Outlook: The Knights have three strong players returning, and
they'll rely heavily on them this year. Wilson, a college
prospect, is a strong shooter, Lewis controls the post and Jordan hopes
to rack up the assists passing to them. After those three, the Knights
are young and inexperienced but Lindberg said they've accepted
their roles well. "I have a good, positive feeling about this year,"
Lindberg said. "They're all jelling."

Outlook: The good news for the Eagles is that they lost only one
senior last year, and return a group McMinds calls a "pretty good
core." The Eagles aren't very big, and although they have decent
handles and shooters the Eagles could have a tough season as they play
a lot of bigger schools. "If we're going to be competitive this
and next year, we have the personnel to do it," McMinds said. Klahowya
will rely on senior captains Rarig and Spoon.

Outlook: To call the Bulldogs young this year would be
understatement. They have only one player who saw significant time
returning last season (Madsen), and he's also the team's only
senior. "We're going to get some bumps and bruises along the way,"
Skogstad said, praising the attitude of his young team. "Hopefully
we'll learn from it." The Bulldogs are also pretty small, with
only two players taller than 6-feet.

Outlook: The Olympic League coaches expect big things from the
Trojans, and so do the coach of Olympic. "This is the most talented
team in my three years here," Whitfield said. "It's definitely the
fastest and most athletic." The Trojans will rely heavily on Smith (a
big man who can run and shoot the 3), Warren (a talented guard who sat
out last year after transferring from Bremerton) and Fisher, a great
athlete who moved to the area after being displaced by Hurricane
Rita.

Outlook: If you saw them last year, the Seahawks will look pretty
much the same this year. Peninsula returns nine seniors, eight of whom
played significant minutes last year. This group has been playing club
ball together since fifth grade, Winter said, and six have been on
varsity since they were sophomores. Cashman, the fourth-leading scorer
in school history, was a two-time All-Seamount League point guard and
averaged 13 points a game last year.

Outlook: All football season at PA, talented quarterback Walker
passed to his favorite receiver, Lane. In basketball season, it's
the other way around as point guard Lane passes to forward Walker, a
returning all-league forward. The Roughriders made the playoffs in the
Narrows League last year, and with their up-tempo, blue-collar style
hope to do so again.

Outlook: The Redskins will field a young team with only one senior
this season. Gifford, who scored 16 points per game last year, returns
to shoulder the scoring load. "I don't know who else will step
up," Stroeder said. "I'm kind of waiting to see myself." The
Redskins play the bigger schools in the league early, a tough way for a
young team to start the season. "If we can weather the storm and learn
from playing the bigger schools, hopefully we can beat the 2A
schools."

Outlook: The Wolves have some nice height, especially for a 2A
school, and it should help them grab one of the three playoff spots.
Austin transfers from Anacortes, and Thacker calls him a "special point
guard." Thacker says his team will establish its identity with
defensive pressure.

Outlook: The Cowboys missed a second consecutive trip to state last
year by just five points, but this year they return eight players with
at least two years of varsity experience. The Cowboys drop down to the
1A classification this year and are the only West Sound team to remain
in the Nisqually League.

Outlook: Walker calls his Warriors "experienced and athletic" and
plans to use that combo to push the ball. The team's depth will
help the Warriors compete for the Sea-Tac League title and possibly do
some damage in districts.

Outlook: The Rangers move into the Sea-Tac League this season, a
move that has Burlingame excited as it offers increased playoff
opportunities. The Rangers aren't big, but they are fast —
Burlingame said the four of the five fastest basketball players to play
at Quilcene are on this team — and so they will be pushing the
ball this season. Coach's son Nate Burlingame, the starting point
guard and second-leading scorer last year, is out until January with
separated shoulder. Thirty of the 50 boys at the school tried out for
the team.